Combination merchandise display and cooling case



Jam], 1929.

I L. T. SUMMERS COMBINATION MERCHANDISE DISPLAY AND COOLING CASE FiledMarch 24, 1927 [6 Z um/net's IN VEN TOR.

A TTORNE Y.

Patented-Ian. 1, 1929,

UNITED srArEs IEESLIE SUMMERS, OF DALLAS, TEXAS.

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Applicatlonmed March 24, 1927. Serial No. 178,018.

This invention .relates to store furniture and fixtures and it hasparticularreference to a combination merchandise display and coolingcase, designed especially for displayother commodities likely to ing anddispensing merchandise such as vegetables, fruits, buttercand eggs, andmany ecome spoiled unless kept in a cool, moist place, and theprincipal. object of the invention IQSldQS-{Il the provision of a caseas set forth wherein is provided an ice chamber with provisions forcontaining bottled beverages.

Another object of the invention 1s to provide a merchandising case of,the character described having a series of compartments, all of whichare cooled by moist air emitted from a common source, which source, asstated, likewise provides a means for cooling beverages, consequentlydefraying the cost of maintenance of the fixture.

Still another important'object of the invention resides in the provisionof interchangeable display chambers, in which is contained an example ofthe merchandise contained within the case.

Broadly, the invention comprehends an improvement in store fixturesespecially adapted for that character of store wherein the patronsthereof are required to make their own selections and purchases, and acase constructed according to the present invention greatly aids thepurchaser to select his merchandise with care and with readiness.

With these foremost objects inview, the invention has particularreference to certain salient features of construction and arrangement ofparts by which the foregoing objects are attained, and which will be setforth hereinafter as the description proceeds, taken in connection withthe accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 represents a perspective view of a store fixture constructedaccording to the present invention.

Figure 2 is a View in elevation showing th display compartments. v

Figure 3 is a sectional view of the fixture on lines 3-3 of Figure 2,and

I Figure 4 is a detail view of one of the display compartments in Figure2.

Continuing now more in detail with the drawings, 1 designates a case,which, as apparent particularly in Figure 1 has a central ice chamber 2provided with a hinged transparent cover 3. On either side of this cover3 is provided hinged covers 4, permitting access to the compartment 5,shown in the sectional view, F igure 3. A floor partition 6 divides thiscompartment from the lower compartment 7, to which access is obtainedthrough doors 8. The upper compartment 5 is also provided with smallerdoors 9, to enable one in front of the cabinet to remove merchandisetherefrom.

Immediatelybeneath the'ice chamber 2 on the floor 6 may be kept forsale, perishable vegetables, such, for example as'lettuce, radishes, andsimilar merchandise, and due to the apertures 10 in the floor of the icereceptacle drippings from the ice is directed onto the vegetables to aidin preserving them.- The vegetables are then drained of water bypermitting the latter to pass through apertures 11, onto the floor 12,thence through apertures 13 onto the sloping basin 14 to. pass outthrough drain 15.

Notice will be taken of the display compartments 16 in Figure 3especially, and the detail view thereof in Figure 4. Each of thesecompartments or receptacles is provided with a hinged transparent lid17, having a latch 18in order that the merchandise may be carefullyplaced and the lid closed thereon preparatory to insertion into itsrespective place in the case proper, as illustrated in Figure 2. Thissection 19, behind which the display receptacles repose is likewisecomposed of glass. It will also be observed that the rear Wall of eachreceptacle 16 is perforated as shown at 20, in order that air will incirculating through the perforations 21 in the interior perpendicularwall 22, pass through each of the display' compartments, to maintainfresh condition of the'displaytherein.

In the ice compartment 2, as illustrated in Figure 3, may be keptbottled goods 23, and in so doing, the merchant is enabled to defray theactual operating expense of the fixture, which is very small, since nogreat amount of ice is required to properly cool its contents, due tothe added advantages of the air'circulation obtained through themultiplicity of perforations described, a-idedbytheairspaces,intermediate the compartments 2 and 7, and 16 and 7.

Manifestly, the construction shown is capable of some variation and suchvariation as is in keeping with the appended claims is considered withinthe spirit of the invention;

What is claimed is: 1; A fixture of the character described comprising acase having a central ice chamber and proiirided with perforations inits floor; superimposed merchandise compartments below said ice chamberalso having an apertured floor; a basin .below said compartments to.

receive and dispose of drippings from said ice chamber after havinpenetrated said compartments; a multiplicity of display compartmentsslidable endwise into said case rearwardly of said firstcompartments'and ice chamber to be vertically disposed, and means topermit circulation 0 air through said display compartments. from saidfirst compartment.

2. Afixture of the character described comprising a case havingsuperimposed compartments; means to gain access to said compartments, anice chamber disposed centrally of said case above said compartments; thefloors of said compartments and ice chamber having perforations therein;a catch basin disposed below the lowest compartment to receive anddispose of dripp-ings from said ice chamber after penetrating saidcompartments; display means situated rearwardly of transparent lidsslidable endwise into said case so as to be vertically disposed therein;

and means to permita circulation of air' through said first compartmentsand said display compartments; v

3. A store fixture of the character described comprising a case having.superposed compartments, the upper of which is adapted to contain ice,each of said compartments having apertures in the floors thereof; abasin disposed below the lowest of said compartments to receivedrippings from said ice compartment, and to series of remova le displaycompartments rearwardly of said first compartments, and disposed on arelative vertical plane to provide an air space intermediate the latterand said first compartments, and means to permit circulation of airthrough said display compartments.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

. LESLIE T. SUMMERS.

rmit of air circulation; a

